Interpreting Walt Whitman's Crappy Hand Writing

Hi, I am Walt Whitman and I have
 hand writing that is very hard to read!

While most of Whitman's journal is hard to read and I can only make out a few words here or there, there is one line where I can make out most of the sentence and it reads, "Let the waves (why?) now I shall see what the old ship is made of, as God can sail while before..." This is from page seven of the journal and I can't read the rest, but I think I am getting the message he is telling. His message is saying to let the waves fall where they are planned to go.  There is no point in trying to redirect them as a higher power is in control, and this power will only test you for the better not for the worse.  This meaning that you will come out stronger due to where the waves fell aka what happens and your decisions because of them.  One must accept where they land and adjust accordingly.  I don't exactly know if I agree as I don't believe in fate, but I do believe everything happens for a reason.

What Walt Whitman actually wrote was this:

Welcome the storm – welcome the trial – let the wavesWhy now I shall see what the old ship is made ofAny body can sail with a fair wind, or a smooth sea

Reading what he actually wrote I was a little off, but I think the message still remains almost the same.  He is not saying that a higher power is in control, but yes will fall where they are planned to fall.  We should be happy for this challenge because ultimately it will make you a better person with more character in the end.  The second line is saying that you will be testing what you are made thus far in your life, what your values and characteristics are. He is saying that you want to differentiate yourself in life, why would anyone want to sail a smooth sea?  That last line is saying why fit in with everyone else when you were born to stand out?